For those people who want to be able to get to church, their child’s school and their favorite deli without ever stepping foot into a car, Bridgeland - a master planned community in Cypress - might have the solution.

Bridgeland has decided to bring a new housing concept to the Great Northwest: New Urbanism, which includes a walkable Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). Bridgeland’s new TND will be called Lakeland Heights, with residents enjoying the defining characteristic of being only a walk away to the village center, churches, parks and businesses.

“We began this planning process in 2005 visiting quite a few TNDs around the country to look at successful examples,” said Peter Houghton, Bridgeland’s vice president for master planned communities. “We also spent several weeks traveling around Houston neighborhoods such as the Heights, West University Place, Southampton and Southside Place.”

Bridgeland will be developing Lakeland Heights based on a pattern book with guidelines by architects Looney Ricks Kiss.

“We really wanted the houses to resemble some of the Houston architecture that is visible in those communities,” Houghton said.

John Vanfossen, senior associate for Urban Design/Architecture with Looney Ricks Kiss, said those neighborhoods had a local style and flavor.

A defining element of Lakeland Heights will be a half-mile waterway, featuring a landmark bridge, meandering trails, landscaped park space and seating areas.

The homes in Lakeland Heights will be in four historical design styles and be very close to the street. Garages will be accessed via private rear lanes set behind the homes. All of these things will be done to heighten curb appeal.

Houghton said he wants the community to have a small town feel.

“We will have a strong propensity to go with smaller local businesses,” he said. “For example, we would pick the local sandwich shop or deli over Subway. People need to feel that the businesses and shops are vested in this community.”

He also said they were considering a Nestle Toll House store or ice cream shop.

Bringing something new to the area is always taking a risk and Houghton said many of the home builders he spoke to questioned him as to who would buy these homes.

“We think there is a demand, but there is no supply in this area,” Houghton said. “We conducted several focus groups to determine if people were interested in these houses here in the suburbs. We were overwhelmed by the results. Seventy percent of people said they would consider buying one of these homes in the suburbs. The appeal cut across all demographics and ethnic backgrounds and the appeal was walkability and lifestyle.”

The name Lakeland Heights was a mixture of a couple of things, Houghton explained. First is the name of one of the four villages at Bridgeland: Lakeland Village, and second ‘Heights’ which was taken from the historical neighborhood in downtown Houston for familiarity.

Lakeland Heights is planned for 600 homes and has a price tag of about $4 million, according to Houghton. The homes, which will be built by David Weekley Homes, will cost anywhere from $160,000 to $300,000.

Phase I of Lakeland Heights will include almost three miles of sidewalk for walkability and that is to promote interaction between neighbors.

Now Playing:

“This isn’t about houses, it’s about lifestyles,” Houghton said. “We didn’t want to do all 2-story red brick houses on cul-de-sacs. The key to success of this neighborhood is location to recreation, shopping and schools and providing these services within a walking distance. We are providing a community, not just 30 or 40 lots in a subdivision.”